Iwo Jima, Feb. 21st, D plus 2. All three battalions of the 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Division, launch an assault on the base of Mt. Suribachi with Easy Company of the 2nd Battalion near the center. On that day, the company's Third Platoon establishes a Marine Corps decorations record. In eight hours of fighting, its members win a Medal of Honor, three Navy Crosses, a Silver Star, and 17 Purple Hearts. JT
That's a hella of a tally, even for Iwo Jima where 27 MoHs were awarded over the two month battle. Nice find.
Why do Americans make such a fuss over Purple Hearts? All that means is a. The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any member of an Armed Force or any civilian national of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the U.S. Armed Services after 5 April 1917, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded- Our men used to get a wound stripe or a Grave. 17 Purple Hearts awarded in that action means 17 dead/wounded men. Which is a shame but part of the realities of combat. To add it to the Bravery awards seems rather strange.
